Metering and recording the flow of fluids



Fb. 2, 1932. F, H BROWN 1,843,442

METERING AND RECORDING THE FLOW OF FLUIDSv I Filed March 26, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet l www A TTORNEYS.

Feb'Z, 1932'. F. H. BROWN 1,843,442

METERING AND RECORDING THE FLOW OF FLUIDS Fild 'Maron 2e, 1923 s sheets-sheet 2 HG?. 1K

W I TNESSES: IN VEN TOR:

A, azzais Hrown, *f BY Feb. 2, 1932. F. H. BRQWN 1,343,442

I METERING AND RECORDING THE FLOW F FLUIDS Filed March 26, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 /f,///':\\"\`\ H@ M `\1 /L/ j J/ L41/ lll( 67 if) Uil 2:4 66

WI TNESSES l N V EN TOR:

vmcis h rowm Patented Feb. 2, 1932v oni-rs sra'rss FRAN cis n. BROWN, or RIDLEY PARK, PENNSYLVANIA' METERING AND .RECORDING THE FLOW OF FLUIDS Application iled March 26, 1923.

This invention relates to means for metering and recording the flow of fluids through conduits, mains, pipe lines and analogous conductors, and it has more particular reference 5 to that class of means known as lowineters, and the like. It is worthy ot' note that when l refer to iiuids, such expression is used in a general sense and is intended to include all kinds of liquids, gases or other substances l that yield to any force tending to eiect a change in their forni.

T he primary object of this invention is to provide a measuring,indicating and recording method, means and apparatus wherein there l is no friction oimovingparts, for measuring, indicating and recording the pressure, new, movement or other condition of liquids, iluids', gases and the like and changes of temperature, whereby the movements'of the measurelement, however produced may be indicated on a scale or its equivalent, and photographed on a recording chart sheet giving positively accurate, free from error results in operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novelmethod and means for metering the flow of fluids liquids, gases vor other' analogous elements through a pipe, conduit or other conductor and connection therewith the provision of a noveil means or apparatus for photographically indicating and recording the iiow of fluids, liquids, gases, variations ot pressure, temperature changes and the like therein.

ri`he present invention has for further ob'- iects the general improvementcf fluid flow metering andA recording instrumentalities whereby their efficiency and accuracy are lgreatly enhanced. Still further my invention aims to provide a strong, simple, durable, and complete lowmeter'unit that is extremely sensitive in action, `positively accurate and 'tree from error in operation, and thereby aitainingr a new standard of metering results hitherto impossible.

With the foregoingl and other objects in' view as will be more apparentfrom the following description., this invention compre-v heuds improvements in the method of., and

Serial No. 627,692.

a part of this specification, and in wnioh like designating characters distin uish the same orcorresponding parts in all 't 'e views.

4Figure I is a front view of a loivmeter embodying vone form of my present invention, 5 --iartsv being broken away' and in section for a hetter understanding thereof.

Fi 1re II is a similarface view of a modified orm of the' invention.

Figure III is a section taken substantially onthe' line III-#III in Figure I. Figure IV is a 'face view-partly in section-of a further modified form or type of my novel lfluid low and pressure'recorder, more articularly adapted for metering the flow o water, gases, oil or similar liquids and fluids.

Fiofure'V is a sectional plan of the precedi'no iipgure. l e

L-igure VI is ka face view illustrating the :o application 'of'my invention to a temperature recording'instrument.

Figure VII is a transverse sectional plan of the same; and',

Figure VIII is an enlarged sectional detail of the light tube illustrated in the preceding two figures.

In the embodiments of my invention illustrated 1 haveexem'plified, as one convenient and satisfactory shape or form of the con- J tainer of the pressure variations responisve element, (such as two or more non-mixing fluids as for example mercuryand water) a Ui-shaped tube or manometer but, it will of course, be understoodpthat, any desired, suit- J able or practical form, shape or contour of container; made of any desired, suitable or practical material, may be employed and that such device and means would fall within the intent and scope of the said invention,

= the manometei.v Th'usit Will derstood that,- varying pressures acting4 uponr Referring to the drawings in detail and more specifically' to Figures l to V thereof, it will be seen that I make use of a U-shaped tube or manometer 9 of appropriate material such as glass, or glass reinforced with metal, or otherwise protected and strengthened. This U-shaped tube or manometer 9 is filled With mercury, orjoth'er non-mixing iiuidf 10 to a predetermined Aextent oi' `leVel"With` the remaining superspaces occupied by-water^;"

one leg or memberill-gfor example-ofgsaid tube or manometer 9 being connected by a union coupler 12 tothe *high `pressure side of any suitable pressure differential device, not shown. This pressurezdiilerential device may comprise an orifice, plate or, pilot tube suitablyl mounted inf the pipe through which the fluid 'lovvsthat it is ,desired f to meter and' record.; The otherleg'or opaque member 13` of tlieU-shapedl'tube ormanometer 9 is joined by a unioncoup'le'r Mito the'l'ow'fpressure side of 'the' 'pressure' differential device, and it Will thus be clearly apparent to', those conversant vvvitlrthe parts to7 which this', inven-V tion a pertains, that the`-mercury 10 yvillbe niovedpinfdeinite'accordance'with any dif-f ference: of pressure of the 'Water infthe opposite arms or members 11,13 ofthemanometer c ausedby variations in ilovif, It 'noteworthy th'atin' making use of the Word ,uiano1neter l desire it broadl construed; ,thatislto say more definitely, 'whereyer Ifcinployf said. Word manometer itis intendedlto include allrthe 'many diversified types', ofwinstrlimentalities with .which ausencia .passare repasse devices ar aSSQiati -for l'lilg @ad fecordillglh.floufpflqldil. :i ,i l I Subswitiula @massig the...rightgiegJpr member 13.,bf,iheusshapeafuiienrmammie; ter 9 'isf a' A,light` iicludin tubular :casing-'1151 provided r y;'ft laffslotioi' opening"1`6 'aligning With its 'longitudinal 21XS This vs loter .ensuing 16..; @Fresnes a light' 'transmitting exit 'or loutlet and' ,orina purposeE hereafter explained, While the tubi? ter l'eg or member'l in any appropriate mau-f 1191 ensuring lts lmmcvbllltr l Opening :1.6.4, longitudinal-v 'r artially` embedde l 111; a

member 13, is'arelatively" 18. .having its. lower and Op??? body of nierciiryjL 1Q4 at 1thefzei' either head of 'the 'mainlbody of mercury. inl the limbs v11 or w13, of theinauometer"9 avil1.

effect a coz''rel'ated variation inl the heightlof; the mercuryl column inI lthe line tube 5 18,', `It is noteworthythat by the l u'seo'tlie ,relative-z, ly fine mercury tube 18 I.,amgenabled to ejb-Qi tain more accurate 'and muchfiiner floiv readings; .or Qinother `Words Il fadopt' the lWell known principle of displacement fa 'estuarine ;,2? "vrillq be accurately andIlegibly indicated as it Will be readily apparent the slightest iuctuationor variation 'of the mercury level Ain 1the manometer leg 11 Will be proportion- 'lately greaterinthe tube 18 whereby a clear and positive indication and record of iullini'tesimal iio\v variations is assured. By makinguse of a partly inclined lower section in the'tiibe 18, lWithV a corresponding inclinationv and'for'mation' of the low pressure mal -";vf LA' :n nometerleg 13, obviously much liner graduation'i'na'rkings can be associated with such inclined'portion, fact, in any desired ratio :simplifications the tine mercury'A tube 18, andfhence the.' sensitiveness jo'f they device veryY Aconsiderably"increased, more p'articularly with respect, to fluctuations or v'arian tion'szfiio'rii theezeifof markl or level. i

i Supported lorfsu'sperided `Withinthe aforesaid legor member 13 of the manometer there be' placed 'a' stationary"illuminating devies conveniently lan'felectri'elight 19 receivciirre'nt from any suitable source through a enductingwi'r-2ogp1i., i i

Associated lWith the,inano'meter or flow meter `9".'fhzei'zeinbefo're' describ'edis a source of motive oiver', such a'sfapclockwork the @sie Qirllehbafes e M122 adapted to supporta removable sensitized chart sheet: 23. ;This chart sheettQ/.S iis-properly'sc'ale'd g1-idfgraduatedl to give, time, pressure and other5 quantitative'luni't readings yby receiyingaan impression from lthe beam, ray or ribbon of light ,emitted,throuofhthe slotl or openinv 16 in 'thex ahovefdescribed casing 15, when. lerla'mp 1'9isl lighted or turned on. Thus it'.viill ybe easily understood that as the chartisheet 23,*is'v rotated in a cloclrwise ldirectionas indicated by A thefa'r'row 'thereonwiths as. funiforrn movement, l thel l beam, ray. or ribbon o light kfrom the lamp v19 emitted How variations acting uponthe main body or' mercury 510 in the manometertube 9 will be positively ,conveyedasv hereinbefore ef;- plained--to` the tine column of mercury in the ytube 1.8an accurate record of such'fluctuations or variations. will be produced and recorded upon the sensitized chart sheet 23; it being obvious that the-circumambient surface of said sheet exposed to-fandf influenced by-the light above the column of mercury in the fine tube 18 will be of a diierent shade or darkened relative tothe inner or centralportion, graphically indicated by 'the irregular diagram line in the Severalviews In the modified form or" the :invention shown by Figure il it will be noted that the l-shaped or manomete'r [tube 9 is of much larger diameter than that shown in Ythe preceding gure,vwhile.the open ends of the legs or members 11, 13 are formed with integral flanges 24. These lianges24,.24 lconstitute a seat for a bridge member 25 having lateral ports 26, 27 to whichvthe usual. high'and low pressure connections are secured at 28i 29 respectively... Bolts 30,. or other suitable `fasteningmeans, serve to securelyclamp the-bridge member 25 in positionwhile itiis tobe noted said bridge member-25 is provided with apertures 31, 32 registering with the open ends oi the leg members 11, 13 respectively. The aperture 31 vitwillbe observed is closed by Va removable plug 33 conveniently screw threaded thereinto, while a diaphragm 34. having a.

concentric beveled aperture 35y thereinl is interposed between thegointvof the leg 11 with the underside of the bridgemember 25 for a purpose hereafter described. Similarly the.

aperture 32 is closed by a ,removable plug 36, with an appropriate packing ring ,3T interposed between the joint ot the counter-bored flange 24 and the underfaice of ,the bridge member 25. The removable plug 36 is fitted with an axially concentric tubular-part 38 for a purpose hereafter explained.

The clockwork orother power mechanism 21 is suitably mounted betweenthetube inembers 11, 13 and is adapted. to rotate a cylinder 39 around which the sensitized chart sheet 23. is disposed in any ofvthewell known ways,; while the said clockwork '21 may have asso-- ciated therewith any appropriate integrating device.

any suitable opaque and light impervious substance 15 with aV clear line'orfnon-coatedvercentrating funnel 42vvwhich serves to direct av beam of light through-the opening or clear line 16 on to the sensitized chart sheet 23, and

said lamn receives currentby the conducting wire 20. Inoxder to guide the float 40 and. retain the concentrated beamof light always' conveniently lixed depending from the inner -f face er end of the removable plug 36.

Similarly I arrange a ioat 44 in the U- shaped or manometer leg member 11 having an incandescent light 45 mounted thereon and receiving currentby a. conducting Wire 46. This light or lamp 45 is of appropriate pattern todirect a concentrated ray or beam oi iight 4i' .on to an indicating scale-48. This indicating scale, 43 is appropriately graduated both directionsfrom the zero point 49 and in order to render said scale 48 adjustable different Zero levels of thel mercury 1() l picerably pivot same at its upper end to a link 30 similarly at its lower part to another link 5.1, the latter in turn having a similar connection to a clamping strap 52 adapted to. psecureiv embrace the tube Q- at-.any desired location. Anv one or more oi the aforesaid pivotal cennections may be made of .a

rictionai or loclriiigfj character. sothat when the scale 48 1s property adjusted to the mer- 4151and 41. ot therespective lamps 45, 41m" tlly eventrof a blow-out yin the fluid-'conduct-y ing` pipe or line. AThusfit willfbfe'readily understood that the aforesaid-upper .Cylindrio ends 45? and 41." ,whenv projected. intol and y y, 1 n through the aperture 35andboreofthe tubu- As before described with reference to Fig ure 1 the. U-shaped tube or manometer leg member 13 is fitted with a tubular casing,v having a longitudinal slot. or opening the/rei in g or, said leg member 13 mav be 'coated with-v fReferrin-g tothe .for-nii of.' my inventionshowngby AFigures jIV and V it will be seen that the v U-shaped or manometer tube 9 is of what may be more correctly delined as-hookformation, the leg or member 11 being relativelylonger than the leg or member 13. l 'In thisconnection it is worthy of note that Whereacompactness is an essential, or space,

limitednthis-orm of'my invention will be found :highly advantageous. The upper end of theleg or member 13 has securely litted' therein astout washer or ring 54 in the bore of vwhich isi conveniently;screw-threaded aglass, or 'reinforced' glass tube 55 encased'bya slotted casingnl of thecharacterherein-l before described, and it is here noteworthy that the inner diameter of the member l1 relative to that of the tube 55 is in the'proportion of three to one whereby an amplification of the mercurial rise in said tube 55 is ensured for the purposes heretofore set forth.

The upper ends of the leg or member l1 and tube 55 are appropriately connected into a bridge member while the former is fitted with a reducing insert 56 into which the high pressure connection 56 from the pressure dierential deviceis coupled. The upper end of tube is closed by a removable plug 36"-and low pressure diierential connection lll-from which depends the light 19 as described in connection with the form of my invention exemplified by Figure I. The clockwork or other motive mechanism 21 is supported and securely mounted above the manomet-er bend 9- by clamping rings or straps 52l having a lateral flange bracket 57 of appropriate shape and configuration. In this form of my invention the sensitized'chart 23 is arranged, for the sake of compactness,

to be travelled about the outerwall of an oval cross-sectional cylinder 58, having a cen. tral vertical roller 59 with similar small rollers 60 at its reduced endsthe peripheral surfaces Ywhereof align With slots provided for .A the purpose whereby an'appropriate belt '61 bevel gearsl attheir outer ends in mesh' with similar gears at theV lowerpart'of the end rollers 60, and'it will be quite clearthat` al1 the rollers 59 and 60 will have aV corresponding direction of rotation to thatof the main arbor of the clockwork. v l

Referring to- Figures VI, VII and' VIII which illustrate the application of myim?r provements to a temperature recorder the light tube 66 is of relatively increased thicknessf andr contains a 'fine tribe- 67 ini'ts l wall havinga' f globular extensionZ GSY-lilledf with' any suitable temperature`v influenced or a'-" --feet-able element 'such as mercury. Thev clockwork' mechanism 2l `for "moving 'fthe' chart sheet lmay 'appropriately 'be'of the type shown in Figures 1V and-V, although; the chart sheet'23- and moving beltGQmay be driven by three vertical rollers '70 of e ual diam-eter whereby a very? compact recording instrument fis provided.' On the other 'hand thechart sheet 23'may be'ap'pli'ed toa rotat able cylinder-as suggested -by the dot-'anddash line indicatedat 71' in Figure"VII-. A

fragmentary portion 'of asteam' pipeI -72 for taking place will produced.

example isshown in Figure VI to better illustrate the application of this form of my invention, lwhile thefdot-and-dash lines 73 diagrammaticallyindicate the outline of an appropriate casing'fo'r the instrument. One or more lights 74:, 74 may beconveniently mounted pendent from the 4removable plug 7 5 withinl the light tube 66y as liereinbefore described.

From the foregoing 'description it will be perfectly clear to those conversant with the metering and recordingrof luid flows, as well as the:temperature thereef,"lthatbyL my in' uention there isprovidedaninst'rument of exceptional accuracy? and sensitiveness .for recordingthe minu'test variation of thefmercury colunmv relativej to 'the sensitized chart sheet23.- Furthermore by' the'u'se of'a 'suitably s'ensitizetlfchart sheet 23prp-e'rly scaled and graduated-for time',- pressure, @and any other required quantative units',` which will receive an image or impi'ession'from the relv cor/ ding beam, ray, or ribbon of light emitted through'. the slot or openingfflin thecasinz'g 15, bythe fixed or movable lights'lQ, All respectively. 'In-similar mannerthe' adjustable indicating-scale :LSQFgigure- 'II-will be illuminated' by' the 'floating light 45,- through a slot inthe opaquegl cover or casing The sensitizedchartsheet 23 whenin use i on the flowmeter may', if desired, be protected tiom'the effects' of atmospheric exposure and daylight other than the recording beam, ray or-ribbon of light passing the slot or opening 16, by enclosing the face of'thedial 22 or 'cyl-'i inder '58 carrying said sensitized chart` sheet 23-withan amberv or other appropriate colored glass or' transparent materialn of' oPaQlueharacter.` i' i The sensitized chartshe'et'23 is'removedy at predetermined intervals of time` (usuallyv every twenty-four hours) and immediately immersed in clean water fora few-moments, when it will'be obvious that an instantaneous and accurate zrecord .of the flow/"conditions" This pha'se' of my invention isdeemedof importance in that there is instantly and permanently produced an accurate record of the variations focused on the chart 23 during the interval of time said chart was in use. In the fore? going connection' it' is lnoteworthy that l am 1 not employing or makingy any claim to the use of photographic developmeiinper se,I with its atten dant expenditure 'of time and very necessary attention, 'but what I-do' lay claim to is the employment of a sensitizedv chart sheet capable of'instant developmentvin ordinary clean water and having the image record produced thereon in the manner hereinbefore described. Apart romth'el accuracy of the flow records producedas hereinbefore set forth, it'will be self evident that as a result of their easy development such records can be prompt? ly .dried and iiled'away for Vfuture reference with a minimum expenditure of time. Furthermore as a mercury column is the recognized medium for testin and standardizing practically all forms of owmeters, it will be conceded that my invention results in the provision of a highly sensitive and positively accurate instrument for the purposes set forth. Flowmeters or temperature recorders embodying my improvements being free from any moving parts liable to set up friction or establish lost motion which have to be accounted for in determining actual efficiency will he found, when once correctly calibrated, always free from error thereby ensuring an exact quantitative indication and record of the flow of the element being metered thereby. In some instances I may dispense with the incandescent lights 19, 4l or 45 and appropriately mount or otherwise locate in the U- shaped manometer tube9 a small piece of radium or other radioactive element for spontaneously emitting luminous rays capable of penetration through the longitudinal slot or opening 16 or 16 to produce the necessary image record on the sensitized chart.

Finally the embodiments of my invention hereinbefore described and shown are by way of examples only, it being clear that the salient features of said invention may be incorporated in diversified instrumentalities, therefore the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes or variations as fairly lie .within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a flowmeter the combination of a transparent U-shaped mercury tube, a relatively fine tube partially embedded longitudinally within one limb wall thereof and having its lower end opening into the mercury at the zero level, a light excluding casing around the limb enclosing the narrow tube and having a longitudinal slot in register with the line tube, a source of light within the enclosed limb adapted to emit a i concentrated beam through the longitudinal slot, a rotatable sensitized chart having the beam of light directed thereon, and mechanism for rotating the sensitized chart relative to the mercury tube.

2. The combination with a pressure differential device of a owmeter comprising a transparent U-shaped mercury tube, a relatively fine tube partially embedded in the wall of one limb thereof and having its lower end opening into the mercury at the zero level, a light excluding casing enclosing the limb including the fine tube and having a longitudinal slot in register with said fine tube, a stationary source of light within the enclosed limb for concentrating a beam through the longitudinal slot, a rotatable sensitized chart in juxtaposition with the aforesaid longitudinal slot for receiving the concentrated beam of light, and mechanism for uniformly rotating the sensitized chart to produce a iow record.

3. The combination in an indicating and recording composite unit of a U-shaped container with a relatively fine tube partially embedded in one limb thereof, a pressure responsive element therein, means establishing directly-proportional variations in the level of said element, a sensitized chart, means for moving said chart, a concentrated light beam from within the container impinging on the chart, said concentrated light beam in its.

effective contact on said chart serving to produce a record of the varying levels of the pressure responsive element, such record being a measure of the fluctuations in the means for establishing variations in the level of the pressure responsive element, and means for protecting the sensitized chart against the effects of exposure and the action of light other than that of the concentrated beam.

4. In a meter of the type described the combination of a transparent U-shaped mercury tube, one leg of said tube including a relatively fine mercury-diverting passage, a 

